Reduced Fees May Increase Petrol Tax

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 564, 17 January 1929, Page 1

Reduced Fees May Increase Petrol Tax

HEAVY TRAFFIC PROBLEM “LIMIT THE LOADS” Fear that the endeavour to have heavy-traffic fees reduced will, if ' successful, result in worse roads and increased petrol taxes, were expressed at a meeting of the Auckland Automobile Association last evening. MR. A. Grayson:' the chairman, said that if the move was successful then the ordinary motorists were entitled to expect that the £2 annual tax Would be removed. “I think we have to thank the heavy-traffic' owners' for the petrol tax,” he continued. ‘*They forced the petrol-tax because they thought they would get * rid. of tlxe .heavy-traffic fees. I told them -they were making a mistake and would be landed with both, and they are.” Mr. O. Henning said a most uneconomical position had arisen. Here was a railway specially built to carry heavy traffic but the traffic was being sent by road. No road would stand it. Two feet of concrete would break ; up under some of the loads being sent I over the Great South Road. The only ! option was to place an absolute limit ! on the weight of vehicles and loads. “If we remove every restriction, the commercial traffic on the AucklandHamilton Rond soon will be such that another road will be required for motor-cars-,” stated Mr. F. G. Farrell. The secretary, Mr. G. Hutchison, pointed, out .that the matter was of considerable moment to those who used the road with commercial lorries. Anyone who had suffered the delays and troubles of sending by rail would appreciate the reason for the increase in road traffic. Tho council decided strongly to op- ! pose any reduction in fees if there was | any possibility of this meaning an in- ! crease in petrol-tax. The council also I expressed the opinion that lower limits i were required on the loads.